Captain's Report

SYLVAN 1900 PRO SPORTBy Capt. Ron SvobodaFor several decades Sylvan has been building aluminum and fiberglass boats geared for families and fishing fun. Some of their more popular units are the all-aluminum models, like the 1900 Pro Sport that gives multi-season sportsmen a tough and durable platform that’s also comfortable and stylish (not too stylish, though).At the BowFor starters, this 18’ 10” boat comes with a fully welded aluminum hull that is finished in a durable and sharp-looking paint job that will turn heads as you zip across your stomping grounds during weekend outings. Then, the specially treated deck is fully carpeted, giving you a plush cockpit that offers two distinct casting platforms; one at the bow and one at the stern. Both raised deck areas provide removable swivel casting chairs plus their own livewell tanks in the deck: 18 gallons forward and 30 gallons aft. Both areas also feature ample storage lockers for whatever you may need while out in the wild. Additional storage lockers can be found on the boat’s centerline, forward, aft and amidships.At the HelmThe 8’ beam gives you and your fishing buddies plenty of elbow room, while four removable chairs and two aft jump seats provide ample seating. This results in great fishing comfort for guests, but the skipper may not be so content due to the non-adjustable captain’s chair (it cannot slide fore and aft). It can rotate, but I found that it is critical to keep the seat’s swivel locked with the seat facing forward. If the seat turns while the engine is in gear, it could hit the gunwale-mounted engine throttle lever, throwing it in forward while in gear and causing the boat to accelerate unsuspectingly. Safety FeaturesOn the plus side, some great features on the boat are its high freeboard and tall windshield. This means greater comfort by keeping you dry and shielded from the wind. If you are looking for more weather protection, the 1900 can be ordered with a full camper enclosure with side windows, stretching your sporting season even further.Pick the Right PowerWith a host of outboard power plant options, Sylvan will help you set the Pro Sport up to suite your exact requirements. The boat can handle up to 175 ponies on the back, but fair warning, the boat does have significant bow lift before it gets on plane, so the bigger motor, the more lift you’ll have to deal with. On the other hand, the boat gives a stable and secure ride all the way to her top speed. She’s a nimble machine and handling is good, but steering ease and response will be a direct reflection on the amount of power you put on the transom.

Test Result Highlights

Best cruise for the Sylvan 1900 Pro Sport is 33.4 mph (53.8 kph), and the boat gets 4.80 miles per gallon (mpg) or 2.04 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 173 miles (278.42 kilometers).